EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The stunning news from Israel that Hamas had released an American woman and her teenage daughter, who were held hostage by them in Gaza for two weeks, was welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden and others on Friday.
An Israeli army spokesman confirmed that Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, the two Americans, were safely out of the Gaza Strip and in the custody of the Israeli military. Hamas stated that they released the mother and daughter for humanitarian reasons as part of an agreement with the Qatari government.
This release marks the first instance of hostages being freed since the abduction of around 200 individuals by Hamas militants during their rampage on October 7, as claimed by Israel.
“I am thrilled that they will soon be reunited with their fear-stricken family,” expressed Biden in Washington.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which transported the released Americans from Gaza to Israel, hailed their freedom as “a glimmer of hope” for those still held captive.
Judith and Natalie Raanan were on a trip from their home in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, to Israel for the Jewish holidays, as per family members. They were in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, on October 7 to celebrate Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday, when Hamas and other militants launched an attack in southern Israeli towns, resulting in numerous casualties and abductions.
Following the attack, the family had no communication with Judith and Natalie, and U.S. and Israeli officials later informed them that the two were being held in Gaza, according to Natalie’s brother Ben.
“The news of Judith and Natalie’s release from the clutches of Hamas is overwhelming. We are immensely grateful to God for this incredible miracle,” remarked Meir Hecht, Judith Raanan’s rabbi, during a press conference at his Evanston home on Friday.
Hecht expressed deep sorrow and called for the swift release of the remaining hostages. “We must continue to exert pressure and pray for their freedom,” he stated.
Rabbi Meir considered Judith a part of his congregation’s family and shared that she regularly attended services.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed their relief at the Raanan family’s release while urging everyone to remember the families of other abducted individuals.
“After enduring nearly two weeks of captivity, they are now safe and receiving necessary medical attention,” said Pritzker, referring to Natalie and Judith. “I look forward to welcoming them back home, admiring their immense strength and bravery against unspeakable terror.”
Qatar pledged to continue its dialogue with Israel and Hamas in order to secure the release of all hostages, with the ultimate goal of de-escalating the current crisis and restoring peace.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel remains committed to rescuing hostages and locating the missing, with no change in their objectives. “We are continuing the fight against Hamas and remain prepared for the next phase of the conflict,” he stated.
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Reporting by Winder in Evanston, Savage in Chicago, and Baumann in Bellingham, Washington.
